Difference between revisions of "Heterorhabditis (genus - entomopathogens)"
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[[File:IPMimage1316021.jpg|300px|thumb|''Heterorhabditis bacteriophora'' infecting the greater wax moth (''Galleria mellonella''), click on image to enlarge it<br/>Author: Peggy Greb, USDA Agricultural Research Service<br/>Source: [http://www.ipmimages.org/browse/detail.cfm?imgnum=1316021 IPM Images]]] | [[File:IPMimage1316021.jpg|300px|thumb|''Heterorhabditis bacteriophora'' infecting the greater wax moth (''Galleria mellonella''), click on image to enlarge it<br/>Author: Peggy Greb, USDA Agricultural Research Service<br/>Source: [http://www.ipmimages.org/browse/detail.cfm?imgnum=1316021 IPM Images]]] | ||
'''<font color="#008000">''Heterorhabditis''</font>''' Poinar, 1976 | '''<font color="#008000">''Heterorhabditis''</font>''' Poinar, 1976 | ||
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Author: Peggy Greb, USDA Agricultural Research Service
Source: IPM Images
Heterorhabditis Poinar, 1976
The species of this genus are effective biocontrol agents against insect pests and are frequently used in pest management. The insect host is invaded by the juvenile stage of the nematode through the mouth and spiracles, or by piercing the cuticle. The nematodes contain a specific species of entomopathogenic bacteria from the genus Photorhabdus in their gut which are released into the insect hemocoel. The bacteria multiply in the insect and the nematodes feed on the bacteria and the digested insect tissue and in turn multiply. Up to half a million of nematodes are produced inside an insect host.
The nematodes kill the host usually within 2-3 days. After death of the insect, infective juveniles are released into the soil where they can survive for several months before infecting another host. While a species of entomopathogenic nematodes typically has a wide host range, there are various degrees of resistance against these nematodes in a given insect. For example, Heterorhabditis species are more infective against Scarabaeidae larvae, compared to Steinernema species, the second important genus of entomopathogenic nematodes.
Heterorhabditis species have a more complex life cycle compared to those of Steinernema. After infection, the juvenile develops into a hermaphrodite female which produces a second generation of males and females. The females of the second generation are amphimictic, that means they require the fertilization by males to reproduce.
While there are morphological characters like the lengths of the different body parts which determine the assignment of a species to this genus, identification is now mainly done by DNA analysis.
Type species: Heterorhabditis bacteriophora
See Nguyen and Smart, 1996 for a review of this genus.
Currently, the following species have been entered into the system:
